Part 3 of the "For Women Only" series 

It does not take a research scientist to tell us that men and women are different. However, for the first time in history, people are studying how diabetes specifically affects women.

Having said that, here are a few interesting facts to consider:

• Women generally develop diabetes after the age of 40
  
  
• 90%–95% of women with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes
  
  
• One-third of all women in every age group are overweight according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  
  
• Nearly 60% of all women over the age of 20 report taking part in little or no leisure activity. This number comes from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with information gathered between 1988 and 1994

With days filled with work, getting kids off to school and families to care for, it is easy to see why diabetes in women is on the rise. As a result, we tend to eat more and have less time for physical activity. Being overweight can lead to developing diabetes as well as diabetes-related complications. So how can you take charge of diabetes and reduce your risk of complications? Here are a few tips to consider:

• Make time for physical activity in your day
  
  
• Create a meal plan that suits your health as well as your lifestyle
  
  
• Monitor your blood sugar levels as often as your healthcare team prescribes 

Plus, there is more to your health than just diabetes. Seeing your gynecologist annually, performing regular breast self-exams, caring for your heart and maintaining strong bones are just a few of the ways you can keep other health problems in check.